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Having watched the Planning Board meeting on April 24, I wasn’t even a little surprised to read of the approval of the huge complex of buildings on State Street. (“Planners OK five-story housing development for St. Mary’s Church site, concerns aired over Hawley Street apartment building,” Gazette, April 29). Planners seemed more concerned about the placement of dumpsters, curb cuts and space for bikes than about the massive buildings on State Street and the jail-look alike behemoth on Phillips Place. It seemed like the final nail in the coffin of any pretense about the importance of “diversity,” including economic diversity in Northampton. According to developers O’Connell and Sunwood, they are doing a community service by building 125 “market rate” apartments, with rents starting at $2,000 for a 450 square foot apartment; “market rate” meaning what the market will bear. At the hours long meeting, someone mentioned affordable housing for perhaps a minute or so. Several cities now require a percentage of new apartment buildings must be set aside for affordable housing priced below market rates. High rent cities like Boston, New York, Washington, Pittsburgh provide tax incentives to developers. Somerville and Cambridge require 20% of larger buildings be affordable. Northampton is now a high rent city. With the green light given to one and possibly two massive apartment buildings, now is the time for the mayor, City Council the planning department and candidates to begin developing plans to incorporate a percentage of affordable apartments in new projects.

By JULIA BROWN

Resistance to President Donald Trump’s threat to deny billions in federal funding to universities that do not bend to his list of demands has finally gotten off the ground. Over four hundred academic leaders have signed the statement denouncing the Trump administration for its “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” in higher education.

In the name of infill, a private developer and city officials have figured out how to build a huge market rate apartment building on a narrow street of single and multi-family homes in a historic district. What an accomplishment!

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — At least three candidates are making a run for Northampton City Council’s at-large seats, while the School Committee’s Ward 2 member looks to make her position permanent.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Further housing development is in the works for downtown Florence, with the new owners of the Parsons Block building complex planning new condominiums at the corner of Meadow and Maple streets.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A sprinkler system, renovated bathrooms and a freshly painted exterior at the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence, a rebuilt outdoor performing arts venue at Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley and theatrical lighting and sound equipment for the Northampton Community Arts Trust’s Hawley Street building are projects being supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Association of School Employees union has voted to go work-to-rule starting Monday, the latest sign of ongoing strain over the status of the school district in the city.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Strong rains fell down on City Hall on Friday, but that didn’t stop around 100 protesters from gathering around its steps. In fact, the somber weather made for a fitting analogy for John Paradis, who helped organize the rally.

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — People picking up their Mother’s Day flowers from longtime Northampton business Nuttelman’s Florist will notice a different type of community message greeting them on the shop’s outdoor sign that faces Prospect Street: “Whoever robbed our shop last night, karma is coming.”

By BILL NEWMAN

I initially decided to not talk about this except with my family, closest friends and work colleagues who needed to know. But I changed my mind. If hearing about my experience might save someone’s life or future, well, that consideration should far outweigh any potential embarrassment or some random unkind comment. Let’s start at the end.

By OLIN ROSE-BARDAWIL

Last month, I was at Umass Amherst attending a Q&A with CliffeKnechtle, a pastor who has gone viral on social media in the past few months for his arguments in support of Christianity. Originally a pastor at a church in Connecticut, Knechtle is partly compelling because of how compassionately and thoughtfully he states his positions. Unlike many evangelists, he does not seem interested in forcing his faith on non-Christians but rather presenting biblical teachings and letting people wrestle with their meaning.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — After years of deliberation on deciding a new nickname and mascot, Smith College has chosen the bear.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Moroccan abstract artist Younes Rahmoun has shown work in more than 100 exhibition spaces internationally, but his first ever North American exhibition is on display right here in the Pioneer Valley.

A short time ago, in our own galaxy of Northampton, something very special took place at the Iron Horse. On Sunday, May 4th, Midnight Curfew, The Father Figures and The Kill Phil, three talented bands comprised of parents of past, present (and future) Northampton High School students, took the stage. The bands all rocked the house, but the best part was the spirit behind it: all ticket sales benefited the Northampton High PTO. On behalf of the PTO, I am beyond grateful to all those who planned the show, performed and the many who came to enjoy and support.A special shout out to Jen Adams, drummer for The Kill Phil, who went above and beyond to make this happen (and thanks to everyone who helped). It was a joyful event, and the money raised will help multiple projects and needs at NHS. What a wonderful show of community support for our schools. (And if you have a chance to see Midnight Curfew, The Father Figures or The Kill Phil, run, don't walk!)

I’ve been dismayed to see how many Northampton city councilors and School Committee members have chosen not to run for reelection in November, and I have no doubt that burnout is a factor. But I’m glad to see that in spite of the challenges, excellent candidates are stepping up to run for some of these seats. As a resident of Ward 3, I was particularly energized by Laurie Loisel’s announcement that she’s running to be our city councilor. As a former Gazette reporter and editor, she’ll bring to the role an extensive understanding of the council — its history, its responsibilities, its challenges, and how councilors can work together for the benefit of our community. She also will bring her broad understanding of Northampton as a whole, her keen intelligence, her calm presence, and her ability to ask incisive questions and listen to differing viewpoints. At a time of so much uncertainty, I will feel much more optimistic with Laurie Loisel in our corner.

By SHERIFF PATRICK J. CAHILLANE

In the late 1920s, Massachusetts sociologist and prison reformer Howard Gill advanced the idea that correctional facilities must steadily move away from a strictly custodial model toward a human services orientation, one focused on rehabilitation for socio-economically disadvantaged people who have run afoul of the law.

By J.M. SORRELL

A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting where the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) explained the results of their latest semi-annual survey. It was made public in recent days. I recommend reading it in full: FCAS - Jewish Hate Rising: 26 Million Shift Toward Hate.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HOLYOKE — With family roots in the newspaper industry and many years serving as chairman of Newspapers of New England, Holyoke native Donald R. Dwight, who died at the age of 94 on Sunday, is being recalled for a life lived by the same principles that guided his commitment to locally owned, independent journalism.

On behalf of the Northampton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many dedicated individuals who support students with disabilities in our schools every day. Although we are unable to host our traditional award ceremony this year, our appreciation is stronger than ever. We honor and celebrate our special education teachers, paraprofessionals, interventionists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral specialists and general education teachers who create inclusive and welcoming classrooms. We also recognize the valuable contributions of school psychologists, adjustment counselors, guidance counselors, nurses, secretarial and administrative staff, bus drivers, van monitors, cafeteria workers, custodians, librarians, and administrators. Each plays a critical role in the success and well-being of our students. Your patience, compassion, creativity and unwavering support do not go unnoticed. You change lives every single day, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do. Thank you for being champions for all children.

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Smithland Pet & Garden Center is closing all 13 of its locations, including stores in Northampton and Hadley.